Bartow County Fire Department Battalion Chief David Levey said the two-vehicle accident just after 3 p.m. burned the tractor-trailer and about 15 acres, forcing the roadway closed.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, a Ford F350 northbound on 75 near mile marker 292 crossed the median, striking a tractor-trailer head-on. The driver of the pickup was killed in the accident.
GSP Public Information Officer Gordy Wright said the deceased was Scott Edward Thurmon, 54, of Kennesaw.
Levey said the impact caused the semi, which was hauling trash bags, to catch fire. The vehicle was fully involved upon arrival of firefighters.
Because of how plastic burns, the department let the tractor-trailer burn down to a "manageable size," instead concentrating firefighting efforts on the wildland fire.
Georgia Forestry was called in to aid in the wildland fire, and heavy equipment was used to seperate the plastics fire so crews could reach the interior of the fire.
The Georgia Department of Transportation reopened the roadway about 2 a.m. Monday.